Are you a freelancer? The great thing about being a freelancer is that you can set up your own hours and choose who you want to work with. You are basically your own boss. A freelance makeup artist/Hairstylist is usually considered to be self-employed, so when it comes to filing taxes it can get a little tricky. There are a few extra things you need to know when filing taxes as a beauty freelancer. We know it can get a little confusing so we’ve decided to make a small guide for you:  

Personal Expenses

You cannot deduct any personal expenses. These expenditures include any personal or housing costs. If you have an expense that you use partly for business and partly for personal use, then you can divide the total cost between the business and personal parts.

Freelance Makeup Artist/Hairstylist Tax Deductions:

Transportation: You can deduct car expenses if you use your own car for business. This includes deducting a portion of gas, mileage, any repairs, and insurance. You may also deduct any public transportation costs that you use for your business, including buses and trains or airfare.

Office/Studio Costs: You will be entitled to subtract a good amount of your household expenses if you use your home for your business. This includes rents costs for any space that you use for your business. It also includes utilities such as electricity, internet, and insurance.

Marketing Costs: As a freelancer, we will find different ways to promote our business. You can deduct any form of advertising for your business. This includes the use of business cards, social media, websites, and flyers, even if you purchase google ad words, or pay for sponsored ads and posts for your social media accounts. 

Cell Phone & Internet Bills: You can deduct a portion of phone calls and some internet costs that you use for your business.

Travel Costs: Sometimes, as a makeup artist we need to travel outside the state, or even outside of the country, for work. Any travel costs, meals, and accommodations for your business can be deducted. 

Makeup Kit Supplies: As you grow your business and skill set, your kit will need to be continually updated and include various supplies all of which are tax deductible. These items include brushes, foundation, color palettes for eyes and face, lip colors, lashes, sanitizers, makeup wipes, etc. I mean the list can go on and on. 

Software Expenses: Any sort of client, email, or software management systems are considered makeup tax deductions.

Licenses, Memberships and other subscriptions: All membership and business licenses that are required are considered tax deductions.

Professional Development: All books, conventions, seminars, or classes needed to keep you at the top of your professions.

Insurance: Any insurance related costs can be tax deductible such as health insurance, or even liability insurance (which so many venues ask you to have)

Commissions & Fees: Legal fees or any sort of online payment processing fees (PayPal, Venmo, or Stripe) are considered tax deductions.

Business Experts: You will need to hire an accountant, and hopefully even an attorney to draw up and periodically review your business contracts. These expenses are all tax-deductible. Even a company that does SEO for your business website will be tax-deductible. 

Assistants or other contractors: Anyone extra that you hire to complete a task (photographer, someone to help with scheduling, receptionist) are considered makeup tax deductions.

Learning about tax deductions for freelance makeup artists will make it so much easier for you to file your taxes now. Although our guide can be very useful, we suggest you talk to your accountant or a professional for more advice. We hope you are better equipped for tax season! 

Watch our most recent Youtube Video on Tips on Filing Taxes as a Freelancer